Chapter 4951 | Street Railways And Interurban Railroads

Section
Section 4951.01 \| Authority to construct street railways. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Street railways, with single or double tracks, sidetracks, and turnouts, may be constructed or extended within or without, or partly within and partly without, any municipal corporation. Offices, depots, and other necessary buildings for street railways may be constructed.
Section 4951.02 \| Grant of right to construct. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The right to construct or extend a street railway within or beyond the limits of a municipal corporation may be granted only by its legislative authority by ordinance. The right to construct such street railway without the limits of a municipal corporation may be granted only by the board of county commissioners by an order entered on its journal. The legislative authority or the board may fix the conditions upon which such street railways may be constructed, operated, extended, and consolidated.
Section 4951.03 \| Grantee not to be released from obligation. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF After a grant to construct or extend a street railway, or the renewal of any such grant, has been made by general or special ordinance or by the order of the board of county commissioners, neither the municipal corporation nor the board shall release a grantee from any obligations or liabilities imposed by the grant or renewal during the term for which such grant or renewal was made.
Section 4951.04 \| Right to occupy tracks of existing companies. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No right shall be given by municipal or county authorities to occupy the track, single or double, or other structure, of existing street railways for more than one eighth of the distance between the termini of the route, as actually constructed, operated, and run over, of the company or person to whom such grant is made. In granting permission to extend existing routes in cities, the cities and companies owning such route shall have all the rights and powers which they possess under existing laws and contracts.
Section 4951.05 \| Extension to be constructed as new route. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No extension of a street railway located wholly outside a city, or of one wherever located, which is built in pursuance of a right obtained from authority other than that of a municipal corporation, shall be made within the limits of such city, except as a new route.
Section 4951.06 \| Written consent of property owners required. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No grant referred to in section 4951.02 of the Revised Code shall be made until there is produced to the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or the board of county commissioners the written consent of the owners of more than one half of the front footage of the lots and lands abutting on the street or public way along which it is proposed to construct such street railway or extension, and evidence that ordinances of the legislative authority relating to such grant have in all respects been complied with, whether the railway proposed is an extension of an old or the granting of a new route.
Section 4951.07 \| Written consent not required. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a grant is made by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, either for a new route or as an extension of an existing route, in case the number of tracks is not increased beyond the number for which consent originally was obtained, on and along any part of a street or public way upon which a street railway has been operated within one year preceding under a grant or renewal of a grant which has expired or within two years will expire or when such a grant is made by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or the board of county commissioners of a county on and along any part of a street or public way upon the order or finding of any court of competent jurisdiction, or a judge of such court, in a hearing upon or growing out of a grade crossing elimination proceeding, in which hearing such court or judge has determined that the reasonable and practical solution of the manner of eliminating a grade crossing requires that such a street railway or interurban railroad be relocated or rerouted for a certain distance fixed by the court, it shall not be necessary to produce to the legislative authority or board any written consents from the owners of the lots and land abutting on such part of a street or public way. This section does not permit a person owning property abutting on a street along, in, or over which a street railway is about to be constructed to withdraw his consent after an ordinance granting the right to construct and operate it has been read the second time, if at least thirty days elapsed since the first reading of such ordinance, in the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or other body authorized to make the grant.
Section 4951.08 \| Appropriating property. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or board of county commissioners makes a grant as provided in section 4951.02 of the Revised Code, the company or person to whom it is made may appropriate, in accordance with sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code, property necessary for the street railway if the owner fails expressly to waive his claim to damages by reason of the construction and operation of the railway.
Section 4951.11 \| Appropriation of property by directors. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When it is deemed necessary by a majority of the directors of a domestic or foreign corporation owning or operating a street railway in a municipal corporation to appropriate private property in such municipal corporation, in order to avoid dangerous or difficult curves or grades or unsafe or unsubstantial ground or foundations, to extend or shorten its railway line, or to provide land on which to extend its power plant, such corporation may appropriate so much private property as is necessary for the extension of such power plant, or for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the tracks, poles supports, wires, cables, and necessary appliances of such railway other than power houses, machine shops, stations, or substations, in the manner provided by and subject to sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code. For the purposes provided in this section such corporation may change the location of any part of its railway.
Section 4951.12 \| Use of public highways. Effective: October 11, 1955 Latest Legislation: House Bill 70 - 101st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Companies incorporated under section 1701.04 of the Revised Code, for the purpose of owning or operating street railway companies, may construct, maintain, and operate street railways for the transportation of passengers, packages, express matter, United States mail, baggage, and freight upon the highways in this state outside of municipal corporations or upon private right of ways. Such companies may occupy and use for their tracks, cars, necessary fixtures, and appliances, the public highways outside of municipal corporations with the consent of the public authorities in charge of or controlling such highways, and with the written consent of the majority, measured by the front foot, of the property holders abutting on each of such highways.
Section 4951.13 \| Consent of authority controlling public highway. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If the public highway along which a street railway is to be constructed is owned by a person or company, or is within the control or management of the board of public works or other public officer, such owner or officer may agree with the person or company constructing the railway as to the conditions upon which the highway may be occupied.
Section 4951.14 \| Crossings. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever it is deemed necessary by a majority of the board of directors of a street railway company to cross the streets, avenues, alleys, ways, or any part thereof, of any municipal corporation or any public highway outside of a municipal corporation, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation, or the public officers owning or having charge of such highways outside of municipal corporations, may agree with such company as to the manner and mode of such crossing and the compensation to be paid for it. If the parties fail to agree, such company may proceed in accordance with sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code. In its final order the court shall fix the manner and mode of such crossing. Upon compliance with such decree, the company may construct and maintain such crossing in accordance with the order in said cause.
Section 4951.15 \| Appropriation of private property. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Street railways and interurban or suburban railroads using other than steam as motive power, when necessary, may enter upon and use private property in the construction, alteration, and operation of its railway or any part of it. For such purpose they have all rights and powers of appropriation that railroad companies possess and shall proceed in accordance with sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
Section 4951.16 \| Appropriation of property for depots. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where the tracks of any street railway extend into or through any municipal corporation and the street railway company deems it necessary to enter upon and use any private property within such municipal corporation for the construction and maintenance of either passenger stations or freight depots to be used in the operation of such railway, such company may appropriate private property within municipal corporations for such purposes in accordance with sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
Section 4951.18 \| Leases, purchases, and traffic arrangements. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Street railway and suburban and interurban railroad companies may lease, purchase, or make traffic arrangements with any other street railway company as to so much of its tracks and other property as is necessary or desirable to enable them to enter or pass through a municipal corporation, upon the conditions applicable to other street railways. Any existing railway company owning or operating a railway shall receive the cars, freight, packages, or passengers of any other railway upon the same conditions as they carry for the general public.
Section 4951.19 \| Consolidation. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Street railway companies referred to by section 4951.18 of the Revised Code may consolidate on the terms applicable to the consolidation of railroad companies. No increase of fare shall be allowed on any street railway route by reason of such consolidation. Such companies shall be subject to the regulations provided for street railways and have all the powers, insofar as they are applicable, that other street railway companies possess.
Section 4951.20 \| Consolidation of street railway companies. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the lines or authorized lines of railway of street railway companies meet or intersect, or conveniently can be operated from one power house, or power houses owned, under lease, or operated by one of such companies, or when such line of a street railway company, and that of an inclined-plane railway or railroad company, or any railway operated by electricity conveniently may be connected, to be operated to mutual advantage, or when such line of a street railway company and that of an inclined-plane railway or railroad company or the railway of any company operated by electricity conveniently can be operated from one power house or power house owned, under lease, or operated by one of such street railway companies, inclined-plane railway or railroad companies, or by any company the railway of which is operated by electricity, such companies, or two or more of them, if they are not competing lines, may consolidate themselves into a single company.
Section 4951.21 \| Exceptions. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Section 4951.20 of the Revised Code as to competing lines does not apply to companies whose lines are nearby or wholly situated in a municipal corporation of this state, or to the railway of any street railway company organized in this state which is made or is in process of construction to the boundary line of the state, or to a point within or without the state. Such company may consolidate its capital stock with that of any company in an adjoining state, the lines of whose railways have been made or are in process of construction to the same points, in the manner and with the effect provided by law for the consolidation of railroad companies.
Section 4951.22 \| Consolidation of electric railway companies. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the railways of any street railway company, organized under the laws of this state, are constructed or in process of construction, and are or will be operated by electricity, and connect, or will or can be made to connect with the railways of another street railway company formed by the consolidation of companies organized under the laws of this state, or by the consolidation of a company organized under the laws of this state and a company organized under the laws of an adjoining state, whose railways are constructed or in process of construction, and are or will be operated by electricity, so that cars may pass over such railways continuously without break or interruption, such street railway company and such consolidated street railway company may consolidate themselves into a single company in the same manner and with like effect as is provided by law for the consolidation of railroad companies. Companies owning and operating competing railways shall not consolidate under this section, but this limitation does not apply to companies whose railways are nearby or wholly situated in a municipal corporation of this state.
Section 4951.23 \| Interurban railroad may contract for use of tracks in cities. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When an interurban railroad company is incorporated and organized under the laws of this state for the purpose of building, acquiring, owning, leasing, operating, and maintaining a railroad to be operated by electricity or other motive power from one municipal corporation or point in this state to another municipal corporation or point in this state, it may agree with a street railway company owning or operating a street railway in such municipal corporation that its passenger cars may be run and propelled over and along the tracks of such street railway company on such terms as may be agreed upon, in the manner, upon the conditions, and for the length of time that the cars owned or operated by such street railway company are operated in such municipal corporation.
Section 4951.24 \| Privileges and obligations of street railways apply to interurban railroads. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF While they are running and being operated over and along the tracks of a street railway company in a municipal corporation, the cars of an interurban railroad company are entitled to the privilege enjoyed by and subject to the obligations imposed upon the cars of such street railway company owning or operating its cars in such municipal corporation. They shall be operated only by the motive power which operates the cars of such street railway company. When authorized by not less than two thirds in amount of the stockholders of each company proposing to enter into such arrangement and agreement, ratified by a majority of the directors, and executed by the proper officers of such companies, such arrangement and agreement gives such interurban railroad company full authority to operate its cars on the tracks of such street railway company in such municipal corporation.
Section 4951.25 \| Additional grant unnecessary. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF It is not necessary for an interurban railroad company, in case it uses in a municipal corporation only the tracks of a street railway company owning or operating a street railway in such municipal corporation, to obtain an additional grant, franchise, or right, except by the agreement referred to by section 4951.23 of the Revised Code with such street railway company.
Section 4951.26 \| Fare charged within city. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The fare charged by an interurban railroad company which has contracted for the use of tracks as provided by section 4951.23 of the Revised Code for transporting passengers within the municipal corporation shall not be greater than that fixed in the franchise held or owned by the street railway company. When there is a public park or cemetery on the line of such railway, within one mile of, and owned by, such municipal corporation, such company for such fare must so transport passengers to and from such park or cemetery the same as if either was within the limits of such corporation.
Section 4951.27 \| Lease or purchase of electric or gas light, heat, power, or fuel company. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A company maintaining and operating a street railway or a railroad operated by electricity may lease or purchase all the property, franchises, rights, and privileges of any company organized for the purpose of supplying either electricity or natural or artificial gas, or both, for power, light, heat, or fuel purposes, or which has been engaged in such business in whole or part in any municipal corporation within this state, the latter being hereby vested with corresponding power to let or sell, upon such conditions as are agreed upon between the companies. No such lease or purchase may be perfected until a meeting of the stockholders of each of the companies has been called for that purpose by the directors, on thirty days' notice to each stockholder, at such time and place and in such manner as is provided for the annual meetings of the companies, and the holders of at least two thirds of the stock of each company, in person or by proxy at such meeting or at any properly adjourned meeting, assent to such lease or purchase. A stockholder who refuses to assent to such lease or sale and so signifies by notice in writing to the lessee or purchaser within ninety days thereafter is entitled to demand and receive compensation in the manner provided for the compensation of stockholders dissenting from the sale or lease of a railroad.
Section 4951.28 \| Liabilities of the company leased or purchased. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A company leasing or purchasing the property, rights, and franchises of an electric light and power company, natural or artificial gas company, or electric light and power and natural or artificial gas company, as provided in section 4951.27 of the Revised Code, has all the rights, power, and authority of the company whose property, rights, and franchises are so leased or purchased. The liability of the electric light and power company, natural or artificial gas company, or electric light and power and natural or artificial gas company shall in no manner be affected by such lease or sale.
Section 4951.29 \| Railway company may acquire property of other companies. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A company organized for street railway purposes may lease or purchase any street railway, or railroad operated as such and by electric power, or inclined-plane railway, together with all the property, franchises, rights, and privileges respecting the use and operation of such railway, situated or existing in whole or part in this state, constructed and held by any other company, the latter being hereby invested with corresponding power to let or sell on such conditions as are agreed upon between the companies.
Section 4951.30 \| Agreements with other companies. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Two or more street railway or electric railway companies may enter into any agreement for their common benefit consistent with and calculated to promote the objects for which they were created. No such lease or purchase shall be perfected until a meeting of the stockholders of each of the companies has been called for that purpose by the directors of such companies, on thirty days' notice to each stockholder at such place and in such manner as is provided for annual meetings of the companies, and the holders of at least two thirds of the stock of each company, in person or by proxy at such meeting or at any properly adjourned meeting, assent to such lease or purchase. Any stockholder who refuses to assent to such lease or sale and so signifies by notice in writing to the lessee or purchaser within ninety days thereafter is entitled to demand and receive compensation in the same manner and by such proceedings as are provided for the sale of stock of a stockholder dissenting to a sale or lease of a railroad.
Section 4951.31 \| Fare cannot be increased. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a lease or purchase is made as provided in sections 4951.29 and 4951.30 of the Revised Code, there shall be no increase of the existing rates of fare by reason of such lease or purchase, nor shall any fare be charged upon any of the separate routes so leased or purchased in excess of the fare charged over such separate routes prior to the lease or purchase of them. When a lease or purchase is made, the fare charged for one continuous route or ride in the same general direction over all such leased or purchased lines within any municipal corporation shall not exceed the maximum fare charged over any one of such lines prior to such lease or purchase.
Section 4951.32 \| Construction of inclined-plane railways. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An inclined-plane railway company may construct, operate, and maintain an inclined-plane railway for the conveyance of passengers and freight, or either, with such offices, depots, and other buildings as it deems necessary. Such company may establish and maintain a park or pleasure grounds and for such purpose acquire and hold real estate.
Section 4951.33 \| Construction of street crossings. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the part of the railway of an inclined-plane railway company which is operated by steam power crosses a public street or highway, it must pass either over or under such street or highway, and shall be constructed in a manner and at such distance above or below it as not to obstruct the ordinary use of the street or highway.
Section 4951.34 \| Construction of elevated and underground railroads and railways. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A city owning or having charge of any public road, street, alley, way, or ground of any kind, or any part thereof, may grant to any railroad company, street railway company, suburban railroad company, or interurban railroad company the right to construct, maintain, and operate by electricity, any elevated railroad along and over such public road, street, alley, way, or ground, except a public landing, or across them subject to existing laws concerning crossings, so far as they are applicable, and to erect and maintain in such road, street, alley, way, or ground the necessary tracks, piers, stays, supports, and stations, and the approaches therefor, which stations shall be on a level with the track, and when necessary to construct tunnels for such railroad, and operate by electricity any underground railroad, along and under such public roads, streets, alleys, ways, or grounds, and to erect and maintain stations, stairways, and approaches and also to construct suitable terminals and way stations.
Section 4951.35 \| Elevated and subway structures must not obstruct travel or impair streets. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Elevated structures and crossings referred to in section 4951.34 of the Revised Code shall be of such height and construction as not to prevent substantially the ordinary use of, and traffic upon, roads, streets, alleys, ways, or grounds, whether by pedestrians, vehicles, streetcars, or otherwise, except temporarily when necessary in the construction of the elevated structures and crossings. Tunnels for elevated railroads, or subways for underground railroads shall be constructed as not to impair the stability of the roads, streets, alleys, or public grounds, or prevent the use of any sewers, street railway tracks and appliances, pipes, wires, and conduits used for any purpose in the streets, alleys, ways, or grounds except temporarily when necessary in the construction of the tunnels or subways, except as provided in sections 4951.35 to 4951.38, inclusive, of the Revised Code. Such elevated structures, crossings, tunnels, and subways shall be constructed in accordance with general plans approved by the director of public service of the city. All such work of construction shall be subject to the supervision and control of the director of public service.
Section 4951.36 \| Changes and removals. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a city may grant to the company operating an elevated or underground railroad the right to move, change, elevate, depress, relocate, and reconstruct at its sole expense any sewer, sewer connection, catch basin, water pipe, water connection, natural or artificial gas pipes or connections, hydrants, conduits, pipes, wires, street railway tracks and appliances, poles, whether for street railway, electric lighting, heating, power, telegraph, telephone, signal service, or any other purpose, or any other obstruction, which may be encountered in the construction of the underground railroad. Such company shall before so proceeding file with the director of public service of the city detailed plans and specifications for all of said work. No such work shall be commenced unless such plans and specifications have been approved by the director, after notice and hearing, and unless such company files with the director a bond in such amount and with such sureties as the director determines, conditioned to indemnify and save harmless the owners of any such sewer, sewer connection, catch basin, water pipe, water connection, natural or artificial gas pipes or connections, hydrants, pipes, wires, conduits, poles, or street railway tracks or appliances, and the owners of any other property situated in, on, under, or near any such road, street, alley, way, or public ground, from all cost and expense of such work and damages resulting from injuries done by such work. The director may change, modify, or reject any such plans or specifications and such work of construction shall be performed under his supervision and control. If such plans and specifications locate any sewer, sewer connection, catch basin, water pipe, water connection, natural or artificial gas pipe or connection, hydrants, pipes, wires, conduits, or any other structures within the gallery, subway, or tunnel of such underground railroad, the owners of the same shall be entitled to use such space within such gallery, subway, or tunnel without compensation for such use and occupancy, except a reasonable charge to defray the actual cost of maintenance. If any such sewer, pipe, conduit, or other conductor is of greater capacity than that existing prior to the construction of such underground railroad, the underground railroad shall be entitled to charge for the increased capacity of such conductor and not otherwise. All cost, damage, and expense incidental to the work of removing, supporting, readjusting, and reconstructing any such sewer, sewer connection, catch basin, water pipe, water connection, natural or artificial gas pipes or connections, hydrants, pipes, wires, conduits, poles, street railway tracks or appliances, or other structures, and all cost of supervision by the city shall be paid for by the company operating such elevated or underground railroad. Sections 4951.35 to 4951.38, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not authorize the permanent removal or exclusion from any such road, street, alley, way, or ground of any such sewer, sewer connection, catch basin, water pipe, water connection, natural or artificial gas pipe or connections, hydrants, pipes, wires, conduits, poles, street railway tracks or appliances, and other structures, authorized to be located therein, except when suitable facilities for such services have been otherwise provided for, or to prevent the practical construction, repair, operation, and use of the same.
Section 4951.37 \| Grant of rights and privileges valid. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any ordinance of any city purporting to grant any rights or privileges contained in sections 4951.35 to 4951.38, inclusive, of the Revised Code, to any company, which grant has been accepted and on account of it money has been expended in good faith, is as valid and effective as if the power in said city to so grant such rights and privileges had been expressly granted to the city.
Section 4951.38 \| Right to lease space in tunnel or subway. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The legislative authority of a city may authorize the company operating an elevated or underground railroad to lease space in its tunnel or subway for the purpose of placing pipes, conduits, tubes, and wires for artificial or natural gas, water, sewer, heating, telegraph, telephone, signal service, United States mail, or electricity for light, heat, and power purposes, to any company which has been authorized by the city to engage in, and which company is actually engaged in, the business in connection with which the use of such space is to be made. Such lease shall be made and such space occupied in such manner and on such conditions, as the legislative authority determines and approves. The legislative authority may place or cause to be placed in such tunnel or subway any pipes, lines, and conduits for any of its service, including those named in this section, without charge, except for cost of construction, provided that such placing shall not interfere with the company's use of the subway.
Section 4951.39 \| Conditions of grant. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A grant to construct an elevated or an underground railroad shall only be made upon such conditions as are agreed upon by the legislative authority of the city, and the company operating such elevated or underground railroad. Every such grant shall provide for the rate of fare within the limits of such city.
Section 4951.40 \| Appropriation of property for elevated or underground railroad. Effective: January 1, 1966 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 106th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF After a grant referred to in section 4951.34 of the Revised Code has been made the company operating the elevated or underground railroad may appropriate private property necessary for the use and enjoyment of the grant, including terminals and way stations, for the purpose of constructing and operating its railroad in the manner and upon the terms provided for in sections 163.01 to 163.22, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
Section 4951.41 \| Damages to other property. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any company which constructs an elevated track upon or a tunnel or an underground railroad below the roads, streets, alleys, ways, or grounds of a city is responsible for injuries done by such construction to private or public property lying upon or near such streets, alleys, ways, or grounds, which may be recovered by civil action brought by the owner before the proper court at any time within two years from the completion of the tracks or railroad.
Section 4951.42 \| Purchase of railroad by city. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each city making a grant as provided in sections 4951.34, 4951.35, and 4951.39 to 4951.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code, may provide in such grant, upon such conditions as are agreed upon by the legislative authority of the city and the company operating the elevated or underground railroad, for the ultimate purchase and ownership by the city of such railroad or any part of it.
Section 4951.43 \| Acceptance or rejection of grant. Effective: August 22, 1995 Latest Legislation: House Bill 99 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every railroad, street railway, suburban railroad, or interurban railroad company to whom a grant has been made as provided in sections 4951.34, 4951.35, and 4951.39 to 4951.42 of the Revised Code, shall notify in writing the authorities making the grant of its rejection or acceptance of the grant at a time fixed by such authorities at the time of making the grant. If, after a grant has been made and accepted by any railroad, street railway, suburban railroad, or interurban railroad company, within sixty days after such acceptance there is filed with the mayor of the city making the grant a petition protesting against it and signed by such a number of the electors of the city qualified to vote at the most recent general election, as equals ten per cent of the number of votes cast for mayor at the most recent election for mayor, he shall certify such fact to the proper election officials.
Section 4951.44 \| Submission of grant to electors. Effective: July 2, 2010 Latest Legislation: House Bill 48 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The officials in charge of the general election shall arrange, provide for, and conduct the submission of the question of a grant as provided in section 4951.43 of the Revised Code to such electors. The question whether the grant shall be made shall be submitted to the electors of such city at the succeeding general election occurring more than ninety days after the expiration of the sixty days provided in such section. If the grant is for the construction of elevated tracks, the ballots shall read "Elevated Railroad Grant--Yes", "Elevated Railroad Grant--No". If the grant is for the construction of underground tracks, the ballots shall read "Underground Railroad Grant--Yes", "Underground Railroad Grant--No". If the grant is for the construction of partly elevated and partly underground tracks, the ballots shall read "Elevated and Underground Railroad Grant--Yes", "Elevated and Underground Railroad Grant--No". If at such election a majority of the votes cast on such question is against such grant, such grant is void.
Section 4951.45 \| Electric railways or interurban railroads operating cars along third rail required to maintain fences. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any company or person having the control or management of an electric or street railway or interurban railroad which operates its cars by electricity conducted through or along a third rail shall construct, or cause to be constructed, and maintain in good repair on each side of its right of way through which such third rail extends, a fence sufficient to turn stock. Such company or person shall cause to be maintained at every point where any public road, street, lane, or highway crosses such railway or railroad, safe and sufficient crossings, and on each side of such crossings cattleguards sufficient to prevent domestic animals from going thereupon. Such company or person is liable for all damages sustained in person or property in any manner by reason of any neglect or carelessness in the construction or maintenance of any such fence, crossing, or cattleguard, whether such damage is sustained from the contact of said domestic animals with said cars or from contact with, or by reason of, electricity passing through or along such third rail. Sections 4951.45 to 4951.47, inclusive, of the Revised Code, do not require the building and maintenance of such fence between the right of way of such electric or street railway or interurban railroad, and the right of way of any railroad or electric railway where said right of ways are parallel and abut upon each other, and such railroad or electric railway maintains a fence on the opposite side of its right of way.
Section 4951.46 \| Abutting owner may construct and maintain fence. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If any company or person neglects or refuses to construct and maintain a fence as provided in section 4951.45 of the Revised Code, the owner of any land abutting on the line of the right of way of such person or company may construct the fence, so far as his lands abut on the right of way. When such owner has completed the fence, he may present for payment, to the ticket agent of the company at the station nearest the track so fenced, an itemized statement of the expenses of such construction. If such person or company neglects or refuses for thirty days to pay such account, such landowner may recover the reasonable cost of such fence from the owner of the railroad or railway in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Section 4951.47 \| Injury to domestic animal prima-facie evidence. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If any domestic animal receives any injury or is killed upon the right of way of an electric or street railway or interurban railroad, either by coming in contact with a moving car, or by reason of the electricity contained in or passing through a third rail of such railroad or railway, such injury or death is prima-facie evidence that the person or company operating said railroad or railway has failed to comply with the requirements of sections 4951.45 to 4951.47, inclusive, of the Revised Code.
Section 4951.48 \| Watchmen. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When street railways are operated by electricity, cable, compressed air, or other motive power in a municipal corporation, the legislative authority of such municipal corporation, by ordinance, may require the owners or operators of such railways to place watchmen at street crossings, intersections, or corners which such legislative authority deems dangerous. The legislative authority may provide for the enforcement of such ordinances by penalties in the way of fine or imprisonment, or both, to be imposed upon the owner, officer, or operator of such railways, or by a forfeiture of not exceeding one hundred dollars per day, which may be recovered by such municipal corporation in a civil suit against the owners or operators of any such railway failing to place such watchmen as are required.
Section 4951.49 \| Repairs at crossings - stopping of cars at crossings. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the tracks of two street railways cross each other or in any way connect at a common grade, the crossings shall be made and kept in repair at the joint expense of the companies owning the tracks. All cars used on such railways must come to a full stop, not nearer than ten feet nor further than fifty feet from the crossing, and not cross until the way is clear. When two or more cars approach the crossing at the same time the cars on the railway first built shall have precedence.
Section 4951.50 \| Full stop when approaching railroad crossing. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the tracks of a street railway cross the tracks of a railroad at grade, the company operating the line of streetcars shall cause its cars to stop not nearer than ten nor farther than fifty feet from the crossing, and before they start to cross the railroad tracks. Such company shall cause a person in its employ to go ahead of the cars and see that the way is clear for the passage of such cars and free from danger. Such street railway cars shall not proceed to cross until signaled to do so by such person so employed, or the way is clear for their passage over the tracks. When the tracks of a street railway or interurban railroad cross the tracks of an industrial railroad or a switch track or a spur track of a railroad over which passenger cars or trains are not operated, the public utilities commission may, upon application of the company owning or operating such street railway or interurban railroad, and upon notice to the company owning or operating such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track of the hearing of such application, permit such street railway or interurban railroad to operate its cars over and across such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track without first causing its cars to stop or an employee to go ahead of them, and may prescribe such duties upon the company owning or operating such industrial railroad, switch track, or spur track for the protection of the public as is just and reasonable under the circumstances.
Section 4951.51 \| Failure to stop - forfeiture. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every person in charge of a streetcar who willfully fails to comply with sections 4951.49 and 4951.50 of the Revised Code or to bring the car he has in charge to a stop, or before the way is clear, or he is signaled so to do, causes them to cross the railroad tracks, is personally liable to a person injured by reason of such failure to a penalty of one hundred dollars, to be recovered by civil action at the suit of the state, in the court of common pleas of a county in which such crossing or connection is. The company in whose employ such person is, as well as the person himself, is liable in damages to any person so injured in person or property.
Section 4951.52 \| Air brakes required on suburban and interurban cars. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No company or person owning or controlling any suburban or interurban railroad or street railway shall operate, use, or run, or permit to be run, used, or operated, for carrying passengers or freight on such suburban or interurban railroad or street railway, any car propelled by electricity, or any car or train of cars drawn by any car propelled by electricity, not equipped, in addition to the hand brake in such car or train, with an air or electric power brake so that the same can be operated and controlled by the motorman in charge of and operating such car or train. The public utilities commission shall enforce this section.
Section 4951.53 \| Center aisle required in street railway or interurban cars. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No street railway or interurban railroad company in this state, or its president, general manager, general superintendent, or other officer in charge of operation, shall permit or cause to be operated in this state any car for the carriage of passengers, or upon which passengers are carried, which does not have, parallel with the tracks upon which such car is being operated, a center aisle running the length of the car and suitable for quick and easy passage to and fro on the part of the employees of such company and the traveling public. Each day's violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. A violation of this section is a violation by the president, general manager, general superintendent, or other officer in charge of operation of the street railway or interurban railroad company. The prosecuting attorneys of the various counties shall prosecute violations of this section.
Section 4951.54 \| Free transportation of police and firemen. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Upon the granting of franchises to traction companies or motor or bus transportation companies throughout this state for the use of streets, roads, and highways for the transportation of passengers, it must be provided, as one of the considerations for such use of the public highways, that such traction companies or motor or bus transportation companies shall carry free as passengers on all regular cars and busses, policemen and firemen when on duty and in uniform.
Section 4951.55 \| Operation of cars without water closet and drinking water. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every person or company engaged in the operating of interurban cars for a greater distance than ten miles between the corporate limits of municipal corporations shall place and maintain within such cars, so run or operated, a water closet or dry hopper closet, properly and sanitarily constructed, and suitable drinking water for the use of the passengers of such cars. The public utilities commission shall enforce this section.
Section 4951.56 \| Screen for protection of motormen and conductors - temperatures. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No officer, agent, or employee in authority of a corporation, individual, or association shall direct or permit to be operated an electric car other than a trail car, whether such electric car is a passenger car, a freight car, a sweeper, or other car, unprovided at the forward end with a screen of glass or other material sufficient to completely protect from dust, wind, and storm the motorman or other person stationed there for guiding or operating such car, or fail to maintain during the entire period succeeding the thirty-first day of October of each year and ending on each succeeding fifteenth day of April, within any electric car so being operated, whether a passenger car, a trail car, or other car except in freight cars and, except in trail cars within the space behind any such screen, a temperature at all times of not less than sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Each day during which at any time such a car is operated while so unprovided or while such temperature is not so maintained is a separate offense. The prosecuting attorneys of the various counties of this state shall enforce this section.
Section 4951.99 \| Penalty. Effective: July 1, 1996 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 2 - 121st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whoever violates section 4951.53 of the Revised Code shall be fined fifty dollars and imprisoned for not less than ten nor more than thirty days. (B) Whoever violates section 4951.56 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars.